KR20230037628A - Data transmission method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides a data transmission method and apparatus, and relates to the field of communication technology. The data transmission method includes receiving, by a first station of a first multi-link device, a third frame. The third frame instructs the first station to activate a mode for sharing the quantity of spatial streams. A mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams. The quantity of shared space streams is the maximum quantity of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station transmits the fourth frame. The fourth frame is used for a response to the third frame. According to the data transmission method provided in the present application, throughput of a station in a multi-link device can be improved.

Description

Data transmission method and device

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010671573.2 entitled "Data transmission method and apparatus" filed with the Chinese Intellectual Property Office on July 13, 2020, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. .

TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly to a data transmission method and apparatus.

According to the current IEEE 802.11 Next Generation Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, Extremely high throughput (EHT) devices can operate with multiple streams, multiple frequency bands (e.g. 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz frequency bands), Collaboration of multiple channels in a frequency band and other methods to improve maximum throughput and reduce service delivery delay. A plurality of frequency bands or a plurality of channels may be collectively referred to as multi-link.

A device including a plurality of stations may be referred to as a multi-link device (MLD). Each station of a multi-link device operates on one link. In the case of a multi-link device, how to further improve the station's throughput is a technical issue to be considered.

The present application provides a data transmission method and apparatus for improving station throughput in a multi-link device.

According to a first aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device receives a third frame. A third frame represents a first station activating a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams. The number of shared space streams is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station sends the fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame.

According to a second aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device transmits a third frame. The third frame indicates that the first station activates a mode for sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams. The number of shared space streams is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station receives the fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station receives the acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station transmits an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station enables multiple spatial streams through frame interaction. The quantity of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the quantity of shared spatial streams.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station uses a spatial stream supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station uses a plurality of spatial streams after frame interaction is completed.

With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station uses the spatial stream supported by the first station after the frame interaction sequence is finished.

With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: When any one of the preset conditions is met, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence ends.

Pre-set conditions include one or more of the following:

The first station receives the seventh frame. The reception address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmission address of the seventh frame is different from the transmission address of the eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

Alternatively, the carrier detection mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

Alternatively, the first station receives the physical layer protocol data unit PPDU. The PPDU is determined by the primary station as an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

Or, the first station receives the multi-user MU PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) of the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set related to the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station receives a fifth frame. A fifth frame represents a first station deactivating the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The first station sends the sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame. .

With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, after the first station transmits the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame of the sixth frame. .

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station transmits a fifth frame. A fifth frame represents a first station deactivating the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The first station receives the sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station transmits the eleventh frame. Frame 11 indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, an eleventh frame includes a fifth field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, an eleventh frame includes a sixth field. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the 6th field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field represents a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the sharing station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame further indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field. The eighth field includes a quantity field of spatial streams to be received, a quantity field of spatial streams to be transmitted, and a link identifier field.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception and the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame.

Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station transmits a delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station of the first multi-link device to adjust from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

According to a third aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes transmitting a third frame from a first multi-link device to a first station, wherein the third frame indicates the first station enabling a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams, and sharing a quantity of spatial streams. mode is used to allow the first station to use the shared spatial stream, and the quantity of the shared spatial stream is the maximum quantity of the shared spatial stream supported by the first multi-link device; and receiving a fourth frame from the first station, the fourth frame being used in response to the third frame.

Referring to the third aspect, in a possible design, after transmitting the third frame to the first station, the method further includes receiving an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

Referring to the third aspect, in a possible design, after receiving the fourth frame from the first station, the method further includes transmitting a response frame of the fourth frame.

According to a fourth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes receiving at a first multi-link device a third frame transmitted by a first station, wherein the third frame indicates that the first station enables a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams, and wherein the spatial stream A mode of sharing the quantity of is used to allow the first station to use the shared spatial stream, and the quantity of the shared spatial stream is the maximum quantity of the shared spatial stream supported by the first multi-link device; and transmitting a fourth frame to the first station, the fourth frame being used in response to the third frame.

Referring to the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes transmitting an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

Referring to the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes receiving an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method includes sending a fifth frame to the first station, wherein the fifth frame is the first station to deactivate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams. indicates -; and receiving a sixth frame from the first station, wherein the sixth frame is used for a response to the fifth frame.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, after transmitting the fifth frame to the first station, the method further includes receiving a response frame of the fifth frame from the first station.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, after receiving the sixth frame from the first station, the method further includes sending a response frame of the sixth frame to the first station.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method includes receiving a fifth frame transmitted by a first station, wherein the fifth frame is a mode in which the first station shares a quantity of spatial streams. - Instruct to disable ; and transmitting the sixth frame to the first station, wherein the sixth frame is used in response to the fifth frame.

With reference to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes receiving an eleventh frame from a first station, wherein the eleventh frame is a shared space supported by the first multi-link device. Indicates the maximum number of streams.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes the sixth field. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the 6th field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field represents a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the sharing station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame further indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field. The eighth field includes a quantity field of spatial streams to be received, a quantity field of spatial streams to be transmitted, and a link identifier field.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception and the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame.

With reference to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further comprises receiving a delay field from the first station, wherein the delay field is configured to adjust from a supported spatial stream to a shared spatial stream. , represents the delay required for the first station of the first multi-link device.

According to a fifth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device receives a fifth frame. A fifth frame represents a first station deactivating the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams. The number of shared space streams is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station sends the sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

In a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame.

In a possible design, after the first station sends the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame of the sixth frame.

According to a sixth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device transmits a fifth frame. A fifth frame represents a first station deactivating the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams. The number of shared space streams is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station receives the sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

With reference to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device receives a third frame. A third frame represents a first station activating a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams. The number of shared space streams is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station sends the fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame of the third frame. .

With reference to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame. .

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station enables multiple spatial streams through frame interaction. The quantity of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the quantity of shared spatial streams.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station uses a spatial stream supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses the plurality of spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes, after the frame interaction sequence is finished, the first station using the spatial stream supported by the first station.

With reference to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: When any one of the preset conditions is met, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence is finished.

Pre-set conditions include one or more of the following:

The first station receives the seventh frame. The reception address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmission address of the seventh frame is different from the transmission address of the eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

Alternatively, the carrier detection mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

Alternatively, the first station receives the physical layer protocol data unit PPDU. The PPDU is determined by the primary station as an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

Or, the first station receives the multi-user MU PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) of the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set related to the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station transmits the eleventh frame. Frame 11 indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, an eleventh frame includes a fifth field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes the sixth field. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field represents a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the sharing station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame further indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field. The eighth field includes a quantity field of spatial streams to be received, a quantity field of spatial streams to be transmitted, and a link identifier field.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception and the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame.

Referring to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: The first station transmits the delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station of the first multi-link device to adjust from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

According to a seventh aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: sending a fifth frame to a first station, where the fifth frame instructs the first station to deactivate a mode for sharing a quantity of spatial streams, and a mode for sharing a quantity of spatial streams to a first station; 1 station is used to make shared space streams available, and the quantity of shared space streams is the maximum quantity of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device; Receiving a sixth frame from the first station, the sixth frame being used in response to the fifth frame.

In a possible design, after transmitting the fifth frame to the first station, the method further includes receiving an acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame from the first station.

In a possible design, after receiving the sixth frame from the first station, the method further includes transmitting a response frame of the sixth frame to the first station.

According to an eighth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: receiving a fifth frame transmitted by a first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to deactivate the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial stream, and the quantity of the shared spatial stream is the maximum quantity of the shared spatial stream supported by the first multi-link device; and transmitting a sixth frame to the first station, wherein the sixth frame is used in response to the fifth frame.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the method may include transmitting a third frame to a first station of a first multi-link device, wherein the third frame causes the first station to determine the quantity of spatial streams. Indicates to enable sharing mode - ; and receiving a fourth frame from the first station, the fourth frame being used for a response to the third frame.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, after transmitting the third frame to the first station, the method further includes receiving an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, after receiving the fourth frame from the first station, the method further includes transmitting a response frame of the fourth frame.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes receiving an eleventh frame from the first station, wherein the eleventh frame is a shared space supported by the first multi-link device. Indicates the maximum number of streams.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes the sixth field. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field represents a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the sharing station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame further indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field. The eighth field includes a quantity field of spatial streams to be received, a quantity field of spatial streams to be transmitted, and a link identifier field.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception and the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame.

Referring to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, in a possible design, the method further comprises receiving a delay field from the first station, wherein the delay field is configured to adjust from a supported spatial stream to a shared spatial stream. , represents the delay required for the first station of the first multi-link device.

According to a ninth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device generates an eleventh frame. Frame 11 indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. Station 1 sends the 11th frame.

In a possible design, frame 11 represents the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

In a possible design, the 11th frame contains the 5th field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

In a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set fields of the eleventh frame.

In a possible design, the 11th frame contains the 6th field. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

In a possible design, the 6th field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set fields of the 11th frame.

In a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field represents a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

In a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

In a possible design, the eleventh frame further indicates the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device.

In a possible design, the 11th frame contains the 8th field. The eighth field includes a quantity field of spatial streams to be received, a quantity field of spatial streams to be transmitted, and a link identifier field.

In a possible design, the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception and the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set fields of the 11th frame.

In a possible design, the eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station transmits a delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station of the first multi-link device to adjust from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

In a possible design, the method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device receives a third frame. A third frame represents a first station activating a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams. The number of shared space streams is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station sends the fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

In a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

In a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame.

In a possible design, this method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device sends a third frame. The third frame indicates that the first station activates a mode for sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams. The number of shared space streams is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station receives the fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station enables multiple spatial streams through frame interaction. The quantity of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the quantity of shared spatial streams.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station uses the spatial stream supported by the first station before the frame interaction is complete.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station uses a plurality of spatial streams after frame interaction is complete.

In a possible design, the method further includes: After the frame interaction sequence ends, the first station uses the spatial stream supported by the first station.

In a possible design, the method further includes: If any one of the preset conditions is met, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence ends.

Pre-set conditions include one or more of the following:

The first station receives the seventh frame. The reception address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmission address of the seventh frame is different from the transmission address of the eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

Alternatively, the carrier detection mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

Alternatively, the first station receives the physical layer protocol data unit PPDU. The PPDU is determined by the primary station as an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

Or, the first station receives the multi-user MU PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) of the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set related to the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station receives the fifth frame. A fifth frame represents a first station deactivating the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The first station sends the sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

In a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame.

In a possible design, after the first station sends the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame of the sixth frame.

In a possible design, this method further includes: The first station transmits the fifth frame. A fifth frame represents a first station deactivating the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The first station receives the sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

According to a tenth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes receiving an eleventh frame from a first station of a first multi-link device, where the eleventh frame indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and determining, based on the eleventh frame, a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

In a possible design, frame 11 represents the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

In a possible design, the 11th frame contains the 5th field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

In a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set fields of the eleventh frame.

In a possible design, the 11th frame includes the 6th field. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

In a possible design, the 6th field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set fields of the 11th frame.

In a possible design, the 11th frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field represents a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

In a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

In a possible design, the eleventh frame further indicates the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device.

In a possible design, the 11th frame contains the 8th field. The eighth field includes a quantity field of spatial streams to be received, a quantity field of spatial streams to be transmitted, and a link identifier field.

In a possible design, the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception and the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set fields of the 11th frame.

In a possible design, the eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame.

In a possible design, the method further comprises receiving a delay field from the first station, where the delay field is a delay required by the first station of the first multi-link device to adjust from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream. indicates

In a possible design, the method may include sending a third frame to a first station of a first multi-link device, wherein the third frame indicates to the first station to activate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams, the mode of sharing quantity is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial stream, and the quantity of the shared spatial stream is the maximum quantity of the shared spatial stream supported by the first multi-link device; and receiving a fourth frame from the first station, the fourth frame being used in response to the third frame.

In a possible design, after transmitting the third frame to the first station, the method further includes receiving an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

In a possible design, after receiving the fourth frame from the first station, the method further includes transmitting an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame.

In a possible design, the method may include receiving at a first multi-link device a third frame transmitted by a first station, wherein the third frame enables a mode in which the first station shares a quantity of spatial streams. where the sharing mode is the quantity of spatial streams used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams, and the quantity of shared spatial streams is the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; ; and transmitting a fourth frame to the first station, wherein the fourth frame is used for a response to the third frame.

In a possible design, the method may include sending a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame indicating that the first station deactivates the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams; and receiving a sixth frame from the first station, wherein the sixth frame is used for a response to the fifth frame.

In a possible design, after transmitting the fifth frame to the first station, the method further includes receiving a response frame of the fifth frame from the first station.

In a possible design, after receiving the sixth frame from the first station, the method further includes transmitting a response frame of the sixth frame to the first station.

In a possible design, the method may include receiving a fifth frame transmitted by a first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams; and transmitting the sixth frame to the first station, wherein the sixth frame is used in response to the fifth frame.

According to an eleventh aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device enables multiple spatial streams through frame interaction. A quantity of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station uses the spatial stream supported by the first station before the frame interaction is complete.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station uses a plurality of spatial streams after frame interaction is complete.

In a possible design, the method further includes: After the frame interaction sequence ends, the first station uses the spatial stream supported by the first station.

In a possible design, the method further includes: If any one of the preset conditions is met, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence ends.

Pre-set conditions include one or more of the following:

The first station receives the seventh frame. The reception address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmission address of the seventh frame is different from the transmission address of the eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

Alternatively, the carrier detection mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

Alternatively, the first station receives the physical layer protocol data unit PPDU. The PPDU is determined by the primary station as an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

Or, the first station receives the multi-user MU PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) of the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set related to the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station receives the fifth frame. A fifth frame represents a first station deactivating the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The first station sends the sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

In a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame.

In a possible design, after the first station sends the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives the acknowledgment frame of the sixth frame.

In a possible design, the method includes: A first station of a first multi-link device receives a third frame. A third frame represents a first station activating a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use the shared spatial streams. The number of shared space streams is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. The first station sends the fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

In a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

In a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station of the first multi-link device generates the eleventh frame. Frame 11 indicates the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. Station 1 sends the 11th frame.

In a possible design, frame 11 represents the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

In a possible design, the 11th frame contains the 5th field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

In a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set fields of the eleventh frame.

In a possible design, the 11th frame contains the 6th field. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

In a possible design, the 6th field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set fields of the 11th frame.

In a possible design, frame 11 contains a shared station field. The shared station field represents a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

In a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

In a possible design, the eleventh frame further indicates the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device.

In a possible design, the 11th frame contains the 8th field. The eighth field includes a quantity field of spatial streams to be received, a quantity field of spatial streams to be transmitted, and a link identifier field.

In a possible design, the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception and the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set fields of the 11th frame.

In a possible design, the eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame.

In a possible design, the method further includes: The first station transmits a delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station of the first multi-link device to adjust from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

According to a twelfth aspect, a communication apparatus applied to a first station of a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device receives a third frame, wherein the third frame indicates to the first station to activate a mode for sharing a quantity of spatial streams, wherein the mode for sharing a quantity of spatial streams uses the shared spatial stream for the first station. and the quantity of shared space streams is the maximum quantity of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device; and a communication module configured to transmit a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame.

According to a thirteenth aspect, a communication apparatus applied to a first station of a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device transmits a third frame, wherein the third frame indicates that the first station activates a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams indicates that the first station activates a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. used to enable use, and the quantity of shared spatial streams is the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and a communication module configured to receive a fourth frame, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame.

With reference to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication device further includes a processing module configured to activate a plurality of spatial streams through frame interaction. The quantity of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to the quantity of shared spatial streams.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to use the spatial stream supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to use the plurality of spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured as follows: After the frame interaction sequence is finished, the first station uses the spatial stream supported by the first station. do.

With reference to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the processing module is further configured to: determine that the frame interaction sequence ends when any one of the preset conditions is met.

Pre-set conditions include one or more of the following:

The first station receives the seventh frame. The reception address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmission address of the seventh frame is different from the transmission address of the eighth frame received by the first station. The eighth frame is used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

Alternatively, the carrier detection mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period.

Alternatively, the first station receives the physical layer protocol data unit PPDU. The PPDU is determined by the primary station as an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

Or, the first station receives the multi-user MU PPDU. The basic service set color (BSS color) of the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set related to the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module receives a fifth frame, wherein the fifth frame instructs the first station to deactivate a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams; and further configured to transmit a sixth frame, wherein the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgment frame of the sixth frame.

With reference to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an 11th frame, where the 11th frame represents a maximum quantity of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device. additionally indicated.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes the sixth field. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field represents a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the sharing station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame further indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field. The eighth field includes a quantity field of spatial streams to be received, a quantity field of spatial streams to be transmitted, and a link identifier field.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception and the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame.

With reference to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit a delay field, wherein the delay field is configured to adjust a supported spatial stream to a shared spatial stream, the first multi-link. Indicates the delay required for the first station of the device to adjust from:

According to a fourteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication apparatus transmits a third frame to the first station of the first multi-link device, wherein the third frame indicates to the first station to activate a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. is used to activate the first station to use the shared spatial stream, and the quantity of the shared spatial stream is the maximum quantity of the shared spatial stream supported by the first multi-link device; and a communication module configured to receive a fourth frame from the first station, wherein the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame.

According to a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device receives a third frame transmitted by a first station at the first multi-link device, wherein the third frame indicates that the first station activates a mode for sharing a quantity of spatial streams, and indicates a quantity of spatial streams. The sharing mode is used to activate the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the quantity of shared spatial streams is the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and a communication module configured to transmit a fourth frame to the first station, where the fourth frame is used in response to the third frame.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module transmits a fifth frame to the first station, wherein the fifth frame instructs the first station to deactivate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams. Ham -; It is further configured to receive a sixth frame from the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive the acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame from the first station.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgment frame of the sixth frame to the first station.

With reference to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an eleventh frame from the first station, wherein the eleventh frame is a shared spatial stream supported by the first multi-link device. represents the maximum quantity of

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the 14th aspect or the 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame includes the 6th field. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of shared space streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS.

Referring to the 14th aspect or the 15th aspect, in a possible design, the 6th field is carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a shared station field. The shared station field represents a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame further indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field. The eighth field includes a quantity field of spatial streams to be received, a quantity field of spatial streams to be transmitted, and a link identifier field.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception and the Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame.

With reference to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive a delay field from the first station, wherein the delay field adjusts from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream; Indicates the delay required for the first station in a multi-link device.

According to a sixteenth aspect, a communication apparatus applied to a first station of a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device receives a fifth frame, wherein the fifth frame indicates to the first station to deactivate the mode of sharing quantity of spatial streams, the mode of sharing quantity of spatial streams activates the first station to activate the shared spatial stream , where the quantity of shared space streams is the maximum quantity of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device; and a communication module configured to transmit a sixth frame, wherein the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

According to a seventeenth aspect, a communication apparatus applied to a first station of a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device transmits a fifth frame, wherein the fifth frame indicates to the first station to deactivate the mode of sharing quantity of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing quantity of spatial streams activates the first station to activate the shared spatial stream , and the quantity of shared space streams is the maximum quantity of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device; and a communication module configured to receive a sixth frame, wherein the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

According to an eighteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device transmits a fifth frame to the first station, wherein the fifth frame indicates to the first station to disable the mode of sharing quantity of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing quantity of spatial streams activates the first station. The number of shared space streams is the maximum number of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device; and a communication module configured to receive a sixth frame from the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

According to a nineteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device receives a fifth frame transmitted by the first station, wherein the fifth frame indicates to the first station to disable the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams, and the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to activate a station to use a shared space stream, and the quantity of shared space streams is the maximum quantity of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device; and a communication module configured to transmit a sixth frame to a first station, wherein the sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

According to a twentieth aspect, a communication apparatus applied to a first station of a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device includes a processing module and a communication module. The processing module is configured to generate an eleventh frame, wherein the eleventh frame indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device. The communication module is configured to transmit the eleventh frame.

According to a twenty-first aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication apparatus receives, from the first station of the first multi-link device, an 11th frame indicating a maximum quantity of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device; and a communication module configured to determine, based on the eleventh frame, a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

According to a twenty-second aspect, a communication apparatus applied to a first station of a first multi-link device is provided. The communication device includes a processing module configured to activate a plurality of spatial streams through frame interaction. A quantity of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device.

According to a twenty-third aspect, a communication device is provided. A communication device includes a processor and a communication interface. A processor and communication interface are configured to implement any of the methods provided in any of the first through seventh aspects. The processor is configured to perform a processing operation in a corresponding manner, and the communication interface is configured to perform a receiving/transmitting operation in a corresponding manner.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. A computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer may perform any method provided in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect, a computer program product comprising computer instructions is provided. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer may perform any method provided in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect, a chip comprising processing circuitry and transceiver pins is provided. The processing circuitry and transceiver pins are configured to implement any of the methods provided in any of the first through seventh aspects. The processing circuitry is configured to perform processing operations in a corresponding manner, and the transceiver pins are configured to perform receive/transmit operations in a corresponding manner.

It should be noted that for technical effects caused by any design of the twelfth to twenty-sixth aspects, reference is made to technical effects produced by corresponding designs in the first to eleventh aspects. Details are not described here again.

1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless local area network according to an embodiment of the present application.
Figure 2 (a) is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AP multi-link device and an STA multi-link device participating in communication according to an embodiment of the present application.
2(b) is a schematic diagram of a structure of an AP multi-link device and an STA multi-link device participating in communication according to an embodiment of the present application.
2(c) is a schematic diagram of a structure of an AP multi-link device and an STA multi-link device participating in communication according to an embodiment of the present application.
Fig. 3(a) is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application.
Fig. 3(b) is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application.
4 is a flowchart of a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application.
5 is a flowchart of another data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application.
6 is a flowchart of another data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application.
7 is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application.
8 is a flowchart of another data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application.
9 is a schematic diagram of a format of a fifth field according to an embodiment of the present application.
10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.
11 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

The following describes technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

In the description of this application, "/" means "or" unless otherwise specified. For example, A/B could represent either A or B. The term "and/or" in this specification refers only to a binding relationship for describing combined objects, and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B can represent the following three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. Also, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. Terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and order of execution, and terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate a clear difference.

It should be noted that in this application the words "example" or "for example" are used to indicate giving an example, illustration or explanation. Any embodiment or design approach described as an “example” or “for example” in this application should not be construed as preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design approaches. Precise use of the words "eg", "for example", etc. is intended to present related concepts in a particular way.

In order to help understand the technical solution of the present application, terms used in the present application will be briefly described first.

1. Spatial stream

A spatial stream means a data stream in a wireless transmission process. After the introduction of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology, multiple independent spatial data streams can be transmitted through multiple antenna technology. The greater the number of spatial streams, the greater the number of channels for independently processing data and the higher the data transmission rate.

In a MIMO system, the number of spatial streams supported by a device is generally less than or equal to the number of antennas configured in the device.

In this embodiment of the present application, the quantity of spatial streams is the quantity of spatial streams.

2. Request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) mechanism

The RTS/CTS mechanism is used to avoid signal collisions between multiple stations by solving the problem of hidden stations.

Before the transmitting end sends the data frame, the transmitting end first sends an RTS frame in a broadcast manner to indicate that the transmitting end will send the data frame to the designated receiving end within a specified period. After receiving the RTS frame, the receiving end transmits the CTS frame in a broadcast manner to confirm the transmission of the transmitting end. Other stations receiving RTS frames or CTS frames do not send radio frames until the specified period is over.

3. Carrier Detection Mechanism

The carrier detection mechanism can be classified into a physical carrier detection mechanism and a virtual carrier detection mechanism.

The physical carrier sensing mechanism is also referred to as clear channel assessment (CCA). In a wireless communication system, before a target device needs to transmit data through a channel, the target device first receives data through a channel. If the target device does not find another device sending data on the channel after a given time, the target device starts sending data. If the target device finds that another device has sent data, the target device waits for a random amount of time and then tries the process again.

The virtual carrier sensing mechanism uses information found in 802.11 frames to predict the state of the wireless medium. In general, virtual carrier sensing is provided by a network allocation vector (NAV). NAV is a timer that is set based on the duration value in the frame's MAC header. NAV values decrease over time. If NAV is not 0, it indicates that the wireless medium is in use. A NAV of 0 indicates that the wireless medium is idle. A wireless medium can be a channel, a frequency band, or the like.

4. Basic service set (BSS)

A BSS is used to describe a group of devices that can communicate with each other in wireless local area networks (WLANs). A WLAN may include multiple BSSs. Each BSS has a unique identifier called a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID).

One BSS may include a plurality of stations (STAs). A station includes an access point (AP) and a non-access point station (non-AP STA). Optionally, one BSS may include one AP and a plurality of non-AP STAs associated with the AP.

5. Intra Basic Service Set (intra-BSS) PPDU and Inter Basic Service Set (inter-BSS) PPDU

In the case of a station, if the BSS to which the PPDU detected by the station belongs and the BSS associated with the station are the same BSS, or if the station and the receiver/transmitter of the PPDU detected by the station belong to the same BSS, the PPDU is an intra BSS PPDU. For example, if the BSS color/BSSID of the PPDU detected by the station is the same as the BSS color/BSSID of the BSS associated with the station, the corresponding PPDU becomes an intra BSS PPDU.

In the case of a station, if the BSS to which the PPDU detected by the station belongs and the BSS associated with the station are not the same BSS, or if the station and the receiver/transmitter of the PPDU detected by the station do not belong to the same BSS, the PPDU is an inter-BSS PPDU. For example, if the BSS Color/BSSID of the PPDU detected by the station is different from the BSS Color/BSSID of the BSS associated with the station, the PPDU becomes an inter-BSS PPDU.

The method of determining whether the above-described station determines whether the PPDU is an intra BSS PPDU or an inter BSS PPDU is only an example. For details, refer to the prior art.

An embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission method. This method can be applied to multi-link devices. A multi-link device includes one or more affiliate stations, which may be logical stations or physical stations. In this embodiment of the present application, “a multi-link device includes an affiliate station” can be briefly described as “a multi-link device includes a station”.

An affiliate station may be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For convenience of description, in this embodiment of the present application, a multi-link device in which an affiliate station is an AP may be referred to as a multi-link AP or an AP multi-link device or a multi-link AP device, and an affiliate station is a multi-link device in which an STA is may be referred to as a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, or a STA multi-link device.

A multi-link device may implement wireless communication according to an 802.11 system protocol. For example, the 802.11 system protocol may be an 802.11ax protocol, an 802.11be protocol, or a next-generation 802.11 protocol. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

A multi-link device can communicate with other devices. In this embodiment of the present application, the other device may or may not be a multi-link device.

In the case of a multi-link device, each affiliate station can operate on the same link, but multiple affiliate stations are allowed to operate on the same link. Thus, in this embodiment of the present application, a link identifier may be used to indicate a station operating on a link. If there are more than one affiliated stations on a link, more than one link identifier is required to indicate more than one affiliated station.

Before two multi-link devices communicate with each other, one multi-link device and another multi-link device may first negotiate or communicate a link identifier and a corresponding relationship between links (or stations on the link). For example, an AP multi-link device indicates a correspondence between a link identifier and a link (or a station on a link) through a broadcast management frame such as a beacon frame. Therefore, during data transmission, a link (or a station on a link) can be indicated between two multi-link devices through a link identifier, and a large amount of signaling information is not required to be transmitted to indicate a link (or a station on a link). This reduces signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

Hereinafter, a case in which one aforementioned multi-link device is an AP multi-link device and another multi-link device described above is an STA multi-link device will be described as an example.

For example, when an AP multi-link device configures a BSS, a management frame (eg, a beacon frame) transmitted by the AP multi-link device includes a plurality of link identifier information fields. Each link identifier information field may establish a correspondence between a link identifier and a station operating on a link. Each link identifier information field includes a link identifier, and further includes one or more of a MAC address, an operation set, and a channel quantity. One or more of MAC address, operation set, and channel quantity may represent one link.

As another example, in the multi-link association establishment process, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device negotiate a plurality of link identifier information fields. In subsequent communication, the AP multi-link device or the STA multi-link device indicates a station within the multi-link device through a link identifier. The link identifier may further indicate one or more attributes of the station's MAC address, working operation set and channel quantity. The MAC address may be replaced with an association identifier of the AP multi-link device after association. Optionally, if multiple stations operate on one link, the link identifier (numeric ID) indicates the number of channels and the set of operations on which the link is located, as well as the identifier of the station operating on the corresponding link, e.g. MAC of the station Represents a link, such as an address or AID.

1 is a diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application using a wireless local area network as an example. This application scenario includes station 101 and station 102 . Station 101 may communicate with station 102 over one or more links to improve throughput. Station 101 may be a multi-link device, station 102 may be a single-link device, multi-link device, and the like. For example, in the scenario station 101 is an AP multi-link device and station 102 is an STA multi-link device or station (eg, a single link station). In another scenario, station 101 is a STA multi-link device and station 102 is an AP (eg, single link AP) or AP multi-link device. In another scenario, station 101 is an AP multi-link device and station 102 is an AP multi-link device or AP. In another scenario, station 101 is a STA multi-link device and station 102 is a STA multi-link device or STA. Of course, a wireless local area network may further include other devices. The quantity and type of devices shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples.

2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams schematically illustrating structures of an AP multi-link device and an STA multi-link device participating in communication. The 802.11 standard focuses on the Media Access Control (MAC) layer part and the 802.11 Physical layer (PHY) part of AP multi-link devices and STA multi-link devices (eg mobile phones and notebook computers).

As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of APs included in the AP multi-link device are independent from each other in a low MAC (low MAC) layer and a PHY layer, and are independent from each other even in a high MAC (high MAC) layer. A plurality of STAs included in the STA multi-link device are independent from each other in the lower MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are independent from each other in the upper MAC layer.

As shown in FIG. 2B, a plurality of APs included in the AP multi-link device are independent of each other in the lower MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share an upper MAC (High MAC) layer. A plurality of STAs included in the STA multi-link device are independent of each other in the lower MAC (Low MAC) layer and the PHY layer, and share the upper MAC (High MAC) layer.

Of course, the STA multi-link device may use a structure in which upper MAC layers are independent of each other, and the AP multi-link device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layer is shared. Alternatively, the STA multi-link device uses a structure in which the upper MAC layer is shared, and the AP multi-link device uses a structure in which the upper MAC layer is independent of each other. For example, an upper MAC layer or a lower MAC layer may be implemented by a processor in a chip system of a multi-link device or may be implemented by different processing modules in a chip system.

For example, multiple antennas are configured for a multi-link device in this embodiment of the present application. The number of antennas configured for a multi-link device is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. 2C shows an example in which an AP multi-link device is configured with two antennas and an STA multi-link device is configured with two antennas.

In this embodiment of the present application, a multi-link device may allow services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links or even allow the same data packet to be transmitted on different links. A multi-link device may not allow services of the same access type to be transmitted through different links, but may allow services of different access types to be transmitted through different links.

The frequency band in which the multi-link device operates may include sub 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high frequency 60 GHz, but is not limited thereto. 3A and 3B are two schematic diagrams of communication between a multi-link device and another device in a wireless local area network over multiple links.

3A shows a scenario in which an AP multi-link device 101 communicates with an STA multi-link device 102. The AP multi-link device 101 includes an affiliate AP 101-1 and an affiliate AP 101-2, and the STA multi-link device 102 includes an affiliate STA 102-1 and an affiliate STA 102-2 Including, the AP multi-link device 101 and the STA multi-link device 102 communicate in parallel through link 1 and link 2.

3B illustrates a scenario in which an AP multi-link device 101 communicates with an STA multi-link device 102, an STA multi-link device 103, and an STA 104. The AP multi-link device 101 includes affiliated APs 101-1 to APs 101-3. The STA multi-link device 102 includes two affiliated STAs, STA 102-1 and STA 102-2. The STA multi-link device 103 includes two affiliated STAs, namely STA 103-1, STA 103-2 and STA 103-3. STA 104 is a single link device. The AP multi-link device separately communicates with the STA multi-link device 102 via links 1 and 3, communicates with the STA multi-link device 103 via links 2 and 3, and communicates with the STA 104 via link 1. can communicate through In one example, STA 104 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The STA multi-link device 103 includes an STA 103-1 and an STA 103-2. The STA 103-1 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and the STA 103-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. The STA multi-link device 102 includes an STA 102-1 and a STA 102-2. The STA 102-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and the STA 102-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. The AP 101-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band in the AP multi-link device transmits uplink or downlink data with the STA 104 and the STA 102-2 of the STA multi-link device 102 through link 1. can transmit The AP 101-2 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band in the AP multi-link device transmits uplink or downlink data to the STA 103-1 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band in the STA multi-link device 103 through link 2. can transmit The AP 101-3 operating in the 6GHz frequency band in the AP multi-link device 101 is uplinked or downlinked through link 3 with the STA 102-2 operating in the 6GHz frequency band in the STA multi-link device 102. Link data may be transmitted, and the STA multi-link device may transmit uplink or downlink data with the STA 103-2 through link 3.

It should be noted that FIG. 3a shows only the case where the AP multi-link device supports two frequency bands, and FIG. 3b only shows that the AP multi-link device supports three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz). Each frequency band corresponds to one link. An example in which the AP multi-link device 101 can operate on one or more of link 1, link 2 or link 3 is used for explanation. On the AP side or the STA side, a link here can be further understood as a station operating on a link. In practical applications, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device may further support more or less frequency bands. That is, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device can operate in more or fewer links. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

For example, a multi-link device is a device having a wireless communication function. The device may be a device of the entire system, or may be a chip mounted on the device of the entire system, a processing system, and the like. A device equipped with a chip or processing system may implement the methods and functions of this embodiment of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system.

In this embodiment of the present application, the multi-link STA has a wireless transceiver function, can support 802.11 series protocols, and can communicate with a multi-link AP, another multi-link STA, or a single-link device. For example, a multi-link STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and in addition to communicate with a WLAN. For example, a multi-link STA is user equipment capable of accessing a network, such as a tablet computer, desktop computer, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA) or a mobile phone, or an IoT node of the Internet of Things or an in-vehicle communication device of the Vehicle Internet. The multi-link STA may be the aforementioned chip or processing system of the terminal.

The multi-link AP of this embodiment of the present application has a wireless transceiver function and can support 802.11 series protocols. For example, a multi-link AP may be a communication entity such as a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or the like, or may include various forms such as a macro base station, a micro base station, and a relay station. Certainly, multi-link APs can be chips and processing systems in various types of devices. In this way, the methods and functions in this embodiment of the present application are implemented.

In addition, multi-link devices can support high-speed and low-latency transmission. As application scenarios of wireless LAN continue to develop, multi-link devices can be applied to more scenarios. For example, multi-link devices can be used in everyday life scenarios such as sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g. smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air sensing nodes), smart appliances (e.g. smart cameras, projectors in smart homes, display screens). , televisions, stereos, refrigerators, washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (eg AR, VR), smart devices in smart offices (eg printers or projectors), vehicle Internet devices in the Vehicle Internet, and some infrastructure ( Examples: vending machines, self-service navigation console supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines). Specific forms of the multi-link STA and the multi-link AP are not particularly limited in this embodiment of the present application, and are merely examples for description herein.

Next, a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of this specification.

4 shows a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps.

S101: A first station of a first multi-link device uses P spatial streams to receive data transmitted by a data transmitting end.

A first multi-link device includes a plurality of stations. The first station is one of a plurality of stations included in the first multi-link device.

The data transmitting end may be a single link device, or may be a station in a multi-link device, for example, a second station in a second multi-link device below. The second multi-link device is different from the first multi-link device. The second station is one of a plurality of stations included in the second multi-link device. When the second station serves as a data transmitting end, the second station and the first station operate on the same link.

For example, the data transmission end is the second station of the second multi-link device. If P is less than or equal to the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, the second station may transmit data using only spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station. When P is greater than the number of spatial streams supported by the second station, the second station transmits data using a spatial stream for transmission supported by the second station and a spatial stream supported by other stations of the second multi-link device. can

A first multi-link device supports M spatial streams for reception. The first station supports N spatial streams for reception. M is a positive integer greater than 1 and N is a positive integer less than M.

In a possible design, M is equal to the sum of receive spatial streams supported by all sharing stations of the first multi-link device. Accordingly, the M spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device include spatial streams for reception supported by all sharing stations of the first multi-link device. A sharing station may provide the sharing station's spatial stream to other stations.

Optionally, all stations of the first multi-link device may be sharing stations.

Or, some stations of the first multi-link device are sharing stations, and other stations of the first multi-link device are not sharing stations. In this case, the first station is a sharing station. Also, the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the non-shared station is not limited by M. That is, the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the non-shared station may be greater than or equal to M and may be less than or equal to M.

For example, multi-link device #1 includes station #1, station #2, and station #3. Station #1 supports two spatial streams for reception, station #2 supports three spatial streams for reception, and station #3 supports four spatial streams for reception. If station #1 and station #2 are shared stations, it can be calculated as M=5. That is, multi-link device #1 supports 5 spatial streams.

Optionally, the first multi-link device may determine whether a station in the first multi-link device belongs to a sharing station based on a configuration of the first multi-link device, a communication standard, and/or an indication of another device.

For example, the communication standard may predefine that in a multi-link device, a station operating in a 5 GHz to 6 GHz frequency band is a sharing station, and a station operating in a 2.4 GHz frequency band is not a sharing station.

As another example, the first multi-link device transmits a link identifier corresponding to a sharing station in a radio frame (eg, a management frame, a control frame, or a control field in a data frame) to a second multi-link device or a single link station. can transmit In this way, the second multi-link device or single-link station learns the link identifier corresponding to the sharing station of the first multi-link device, and determines the sharing station of the first multi-link device. Also, the frame transmission scheme may alternatively be broadcast. In this case, a nearby single link station or multi-link device may determine a sharing station in the first multi-link device by learning a link identifier corresponding to the sharing station in the first multi-link device.

In this embodiment of the present application, P is a positive integer greater than N and less than or equal to M. In this case, the P spatial streams for reception used by the first station are a subset of the M spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device.

In this embodiment of the present application, a first station may use a spatial stream for reception supported by the first station, or may use a spatial stream for reception supported by another station. Accordingly, the maximum number of spatial streams for reception that can be used by the first station is greater than the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the first station.

Optionally, P is less than or equal to the maximum number of spatial streams for reception that can be used by the first station. The maximum number of spatial streams for reception that the first station can use is less than or equal to M.

In a possible design, the P receiving spatial streams used by the first station include the N receiving spatial streams supported by the first station and the P-N receiving spatial streams supported by other stations of the first multi-link device. . That is, the first station of the first multi-link device not only receives data using the spatial stream for reception of the first station, but also receives data using the spatial stream for reception supported by other stations of the first multi-link device. may receive.

For example, multi-link device #1 includes station #1, station #2, and station #3. Station #1 supports two spatial streams for reception, station #2 supports three spatial streams for reception, and station #3 supports four spatial streams for reception. Also, station #1 and station #2 are sharing stations. During data transmission, station #1 can receive data using two spatial streams for reception supported by station #1, as well as one or more of the three spatial streams for reception supported by station #2. You can also receive data.

In a possible design, the first station may actively receive data using P spatial streams for reception.

Optionally, based on this design, before step S101, the first station needs to send the first indication information to the data transmitting end. The first indication information indicates a first station using P spatial streams for reception. The first indication information may be carried in a control field of a management frame, a control frame, or a data frame.

In another possible design, the first station may receive data using P spatial streams for reception after being triggered by the data transmitting end.

The following describes an implementation in which the first station of the first multi-link device is passively triggered to use the P spatial streams for reception.

Implementation 1: A first station of a first multi-link device receives a first frame sent by a data transmission end. The first station of the first multi-link device sends the second frame to the data transmission end.

The first frame represents a station that is in a first multi-link device and receives the first frame to receive data using P spatial streams for reception. Optionally, the first frame includes a first field. The first field represents a specific value of P. The first field may have another name, for example a Quantity of Spatial Stream field. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The second frame is used for a response to the first frame, for example, an acknowledgment (Ack) frame. Optionally, the second frame indicates that the first station agrees or refuses to use the P spatial streams for reception. Further, if the second frame indicates that the first station refuses to use P spatial streams for reception, the second frame may further indicate A recommended spatial streams for reception. A is not equal to P, and A is a positive integer.

Implementation 2: The first station of the first multi-link device enables P spatial streams for reception after receiving the start frame of frame exchange. In this case, P equals M.

Optionally, the start frame of frame exchange may be an RTS frame. In other words, the data transmitter may trigger the first station to activate the P spatial streams for reception by transmitting an RTS frame to the first station. Then, the first station sends the CTS frame to the data transmitter. After completing the RTS-CTS mechanism, the first station can receive data using P spatial streams for reception.

Optionally, the start frame of the frame interaction may be a trigger frame. A trigger frame is used to trigger a station to transmit an uplink PPDU or single user PPDU.

Optionally, a trigger frame used as a starting frame for frame interaction must satisfy the following conditions.

Condition 1-1: The trigger frame is transmitted in the form of a single spatial stream.

Condition 1-2: A trigger frame is from a connected AP. Alternatively, if the AP associated with the station supports a control frame sent by a BSSID that corresponds to a Non-transmitted BSSID in the multi-BSSID set and is transmitted (transmitted) in the multi-BSSID set, the trigger frame is sent to the BSSID It is from the AP of the BSSID transmitted in the set.

Condition 1-3: The trigger frame is a multi-user transmission request (MU-RTS) trigger frame, a buffer status report poll (BSRP) frame, or a bandwidth query report poll trigger frame. Also, the trigger frame includes a user information field. A value of the AID12 field of the user information field is equal to the least significant 12 bits of the AID of the first station.

Conditions 1-1 to 1-3 are examples only. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The first station determines the capability of the spatial stream in the Short Inter Frame Space (SIFS) after the start frame of the response frame interaction, for example, the supported EHT MCS Set field and operation mode (operation mode change notification information or operation Open one or more spatial streams for reception to receive data according to the mode indication information).

Implementation 3: When the first station of the first multi-link device is in the spatial stream sharing mode, the first station of the first multi-link device activates P spatial streams for reception after receiving the start frame of frame exchange. do. In this case, P equals M.

The mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is used to allow stations of a multi-link device to use the spatial streams of other stations. That is, when the first station is in the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams, the first station may use spatial streams supported by other stations in the first multi-link device.

Correspondingly, if the first station is not in a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams, the first station cannot use spatial streams supported by other stations in the first multi-link device. In this way, when the first station is not in the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams, the first station receives the start frame of the frame exchange and then activates the N spatial streams for reception supported by the first station.

In a possible design, the trigger negotiation procedure for activating the mode in which the first station of the first multi-link device shares the quantity of spatial streams is as follows: The first station of the first multi-link device sends receive 3 frames; After that, the first station of the first multi-link device transmits the fourth frame to the data transmitting end. A third frame indicates a station receiving the third frame to activate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

In another possible design, the trigger negotiation procedure for activating the mode in which the first station of the first multi-link device shares the quantity of spatial streams is as follows: The first station of the first multi-link device sends receive a third frame; The first station of the first multi-link device transmits the response frame to the data transmission end. Then, the first station of the first multi-link device transmits a fourth frame to the data transmission end, and the first station of the first multi-link device receives the acknowledgment frame transmitted by the data transmission end. A third frame indicates a station receiving the third frame to activate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

Optionally, the third frame further includes a second field. The second field indicates the number of spatial streams for reception that the first station needs to use.

Optionally, the third frame further includes a seventh field. A seventh field is the number X of spatial streams for reception that the first station needs to use after determining that the frame exchange sequence ends when the first station ends the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams or when a preset condition is met. , where 1 = < X ≤ N.

Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a third field. A third field represents the number of spatial streams for reception that can be currently used by the first station. That is, the third field represents the P value.

Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a delay field. The delay field indicates the delay required for the first station of the first multi-link device to adjust from the currently used receiving spatial stream to the P receiving spatial streams.

Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a tenth field. A tenth field is the number of spatial streams for reception recommended by the first station after determining that the frame exchange sequence ends when the first station ends the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams or when a preset condition is met. indicates

In a possible design, the trigger negotiation procedure for disabling the mode in which the first station of the first multi-link device shares the quantity of spatial streams is as follows: The first station of the first multi-link device transmits the fifth receive a frame; Then, the first station of the first multi-link device transmits the sixth frame to the data transmitting end. The fifth frame indicates a station receiving the fifth frame to deactivate the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

In another possible design, the trigger negotiation procedure for the first station of the first multi-link device to deactivate the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams is as follows: The first station of the first multi-link device sends receive a fifth frame; The first station of the first multi-link device transmits the response frame to the data transmission end. Then, the first station of the first multi-link device transmits the sixth frame to the data transmission end, and the first station of the first multi-link device receives the acknowledgment frame sent by the data transmission end. The fifth frame indicates a station receiving the fifth frame to deactivate the mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

Optionally, the third frame and the fifth frame may be applied to the same type of radio frame. A radio frame includes an indication field. The indication field indicates whether the radio frame is the third frame or the fifth frame.

In the foregoing description, "activation of the mode for sharing the spatial stream quantity" may be replaced with "entry into the mode for sharing the spatial stream quantity", and "deactivation of the mode for sharing the spatial stream quantity" may be substituted for "entering the mode for sharing the spatial stream quantity". It can be replaced with "exit shared mode".

It can be appreciated that the mode of sharing quantity of spatial streams may have another name, for example sharing mode of quantity of spatial streams, sharing mode of spatial streams or sharing mode. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Based on the technical solution shown in FIG. 4, compared with the prior art in which the first station could receive data using only the spatial stream for reception supported by the first station, according to the technical solution provided by the present application, The first station may receive data using a spatial stream for reception supported by another station in the first multi-link device. That is, compared with the prior art, in the technical solution of the present application, the first station can receive data by using more spatial streams for reception. Since the quantity of spatial streams for reception is positively correlated with the data throughput, the technical solution of the present application can improve the data throughput of the first station.

As such, in a scenario where the first station requires high throughput, the first station can receive data using P spatial streams for reception. In a scenario in which the first station is not required to have a high throughput, the first station in the first multi-link device may receive data by using only a spatial stream for receiving supported by the first station. In a scenario in which the first station does not require high throughput, the first station of the first multi-link device may receive data using only the spatial stream for reception supported by the first station.

Optionally, based on the solution shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 5, after step S101, the data transmission method may further include step S102.

S102: If any one of the preset conditions is met, the first station of the first multi-link device determines that the frame exchange sequence is ended, and uses X spatial streams for reception.

X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N. The X spatial streams for reception is a subset of the N spatial streams for reception supported by the first station.

In a possible design, X could be 1 or N by default in the communication standard, and no additional signaling is needed to indicate the value of X.

In another possible design, the data transmitting end may indicate the value of X to the first station. For example, the data transmitter indicates the value of X using the seventh field of the third frame.

That is, if any one of the preset conditions is satisfied, the first station adjusts the originally used P spatial streams for reception back to the X spatial streams for reception.

Optionally, the preset conditions include at least one of the following.

Condition 2-1: The first station receives the 7th frame. The receiving address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the sending address of the seventh frame is different from the sending address of the eighth frame. The eighth frame is used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity (TXOP) between the first station and the data transmitting end.

Condition 2-2: The carrier detection mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time. A medium can have other names, for example medium, frequency band or channel. This is not limited here. For example, the preset time may be a transport point coordination function interframe space (TxPIFS).

Condition 2-3: The first station receives a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). The PPDU is determined by the primary station as an inter BSS PPDU.

Condition 2-4: The first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU. The BSS color of the received vector (RXVECTOR) parameter carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the BSS associated with the first station, and there is no station identifier matching the first station in the RXVECTOR parameter carried in the MU PPDU. That is, the BSS color in the preamble of the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the BSS associated with the first station, and the preamble of the MU PPDU does not have a station identifier matching the first station.

Based on conditions 2 to 4, before the 1st station receives the MU PPDU, the value of the BSS Color Disable field of the management frame recently received by the 1st station is 0.

Based on the technical solution shown in Fig. 5, if any one of the above preset conditions is satisfied, it indicates that the first station of the first multi-link device has completed frame sequence exchange with the data transmitting end. Therefore, the first station of the first multi-link device stops using the spatial stream for reception supported by another station of the first multi-link device, so that the other station of the first multi-link device uses the spatial stream for reception of the other station. By using it, normal communication can be performed.

6 shows a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

Step 201: A second station of a second multi-link device transmits data to a data receiving end using L spatial streams for transmission.

The second multi-link device includes a plurality of stations. The second station is one of a plurality of stations included in the second multi-link device. The data receiving end may be a single link device or a station in a multi-link device, for example, a first station in the first multi-link device described above.

For example, the data receiving end is the first station of the first multi-link device. When L is less than or equal to N, the first station can receive data using only the spatial stream for reception supported by the first station. If L is greater than N, the first station may receive data using a spatial stream for reception supported by the first station and a spatial stream for reception supported by another station in the first multi-link device.

The second multi-link device supports Q spatial streams for transmission. A second station of the second multi-link device supports K spatial streams for transmission. Q is a positive integer greater than 1, and K is a positive integer less than Q.

In a possible design, Q equals the sum of spatial streams for transmission supported by all sharing stations of the second multi-link device. Accordingly, the Q spatial streams supported by the second multi-link device include spatial streams for transmission supported by all sharing stations of the second multi-link device. A sharing station may provide the sharing station's spatial stream to other stations.

Optionally, all stations of the second multi-link device may be sharing stations.

Or, some stations of the second multi-link device are sharing stations, and other stations of the second multi-link device are not sharing stations. In this case, the second station is a sharing station. Also, the number of spatial streams for reception supported by non-shared stations is not limited by Q. That is, the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the non-sharing station may be greater than or equal to Q or less than or equal to Q.

Optionally, the second multi-link device may determine whether a station in the second multi-link device belongs to a sharing station based on a configuration of the second multi-link device, a communication standard, and/or an indication of another device.

For example, the communication standard may predefine that in a multi-link device, a station operating in a 5 GHz to 6 GHz frequency band is a sharing station, and a station operating in a 2.4 GHz frequency band is not a sharing station.

In this embodiment of the present application, L is a positive integer greater than K and less than or equal to Q. In this case, the L spatial streams for transmission used by the second station are a subset of the Q spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multi-link device.

In this embodiment of the present application, the second station may use a spatial stream for transmission supported by the second station, or may use a spatial stream for transmission supported by another station. Therefore, the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission that can be used by the second station is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station.

Optionally, L is less than or equal to the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission that can be used by the second station. The maximum quantity of spatial streams available to the second station is less than or equal to Q.

In a possible design, the L spatial streams for transmission used by the second station include the K spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station and the L-K spatial streams for transmission supported by other stations of the second multi-link device. do. That is, the second station of the second multi-link device not only transmits data using the spatial stream for transmission of the second station, but also transmits data using the spatial stream for transmission supported by other stations in the second multi-link device. do.

In a possible implementation, the second station may actively transmit data using the L spatial streams for transmission. For example, the second station may determine the quantity of spatial streams for transmission based on factors such as link conditions of the second multi-link device and/or throughput requirements of the data to be transmitted.

For example, when the channel state corresponding to the second station in the second multi-link device is good (eg, the channel quality is equal to or greater than the first preset value), the link corresponding to the third station of the second multi-link device When the channel condition of is poor (for example, when the channel quality is lower than the first preset value), the second station sends data using a spatial stream for transmission supported by the third station of the second multi-link device. Thus, space resources are maximally utilized and throughput of the second station is improved. The third station may be one or more other stations in the second multi-link device other than the second station.

For example, when the throughput condition of the data to be transmitted of the second station is high (eg, when the throughput condition of the data to be transmitted is equal to or greater than the second preset value), the second station uses L spatial streams for transmission to transmit the data can transmit. When the throughput condition of data to be transmitted of the second station is low (eg, when the throughput condition of data to be transmitted is less than the second preset value), the second station transmits data using K spatial streams for transmission.

Optionally, the second station may determine the value of L based on information of a spatial stream for reception associated with a data receiving end.

For example, the data receiving end is a single link device. The number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, and the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device is greater than the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the second multi-link device. The value of L may be less than or equal to the quantity of spatial streams for reception supported by a single link device when it is equal to or less than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the single link device. Alternatively, the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, and the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device is greater than the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the second station. If greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the link device, the value of L may be less than or equal to the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multi-link device.

For example, say that a second multi-link device supports 10 spatial streams for transmission, a second station supports 2 spatial streams for transmission, and a single link device supports 3 spatial streams for reception. Assuming, the second station can determine that the value of L is 3.

For example, the data receiving end is a station of a peer multi-link device (eg, a first station of a first multi-link device in the above description). The number of spatial streams for reception supported by the peer multi-link device is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, and the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the peer multi-link device is supported by the second multi-link device. The value of L may be less than or equal to the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the peer multi-link device. Alternatively, the quantity of spatial streams for reception supported by the peer multi-link device is greater than the quantity of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, and the quantity of spatial streams for reception supported by the peer multi-link device is If greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multi-link device, the value of L may be less than or equal to the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multi-link device.

In another possible implementation, the second station may transmit data using L spatial streams for transmission after being triggered by the data receiving end.

In a possible design, the triggering procedure may include the following steps: The second station receives the ninth frame transmitted from the data transmitting end. Then, the second station sends the 10th frame to the data transmitter.

The ninth frame indicates to the second station to send data using the L spatial streams for transmission. Optionally, the ninth frame includes a fourth field. The fourth field represents the value of L.

The tenth frame is used for a response to the ninth frame. Optionally, the tenth frame may indicate that the second station agrees or refuses to use the L spatial streams for transmission.

Optionally, the tenth frame may be an acknowledgment frame.

In another possible design, the triggering procedure may include the following steps: the second station receives the ninth frame transmitted by the data transmitting end, and the second station transmits a response frame to the data transmitting end. Then, the second station transmits the 10th frame to the data transmitter and the second station receives the acknowledgment frame sent from the data transmitter.

Optionally, before step S201, the second station may transmit second indication information to the data receiving end. The second indication information indicates the number of spatial streams for transmission used by the second station.

Based on the technical solution shown in FIG. 6, compared to the prior art in which the second station can transmit data using only the spatial stream for transmission supported by the second station, according to the technical solution provided by the present application, The 2 stations may transmit data using spatial streams for transmission supported by other stations in the second multi-link device. That is, compared with the prior art, in the technical solution of the present application, the second station can transmit data using more spatial streams for transmission. Since the quantity of spatial streams for transmission is positively correlated with the data throughput, the technical solution of the present application can improve the data throughput of the second station.

Thus, in a scenario that requires the second station to have high throughput, the second station can transmit data using L spatial streams for transmission. In a scenario in which the second station does not require high throughput, the second station of the second multi-link device may transmit data using only the spatial stream for transmission supported by the second station.

The technical solutions shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 will be described below using examples referring to actual application scenarios.

As shown in FIG. 7, multi-link device #1 includes station #101 and station #102, and multi-link device #2 includes station #201 and station #202. Station #101 and station #201 both operate on link 1, and station #102 and station #202 both operate on link 2. Multi-Link Device #1 supports four spatial streams for reception, and both Station #101 and Station #102 support two spatial streams for reception. Multi-link device #2 supports 4 spatial streams for transmission, and station #201 and station #202 both support 2 spatial streams for transmission. Multi-link device #2 determines that the channel quality of link 1 is good and determines that the channel quality of link 2 is bad. Accordingly, station #201 of multi-link device #2 sends an RTS frame to station #101 of multi-link device #1 of link 1, and station #101 of multi-link device #1 transmits an RTS frame to station #101 of multi-link device #2 of link 1. Send CTS frame to station #201. As such, station #101 of multi-link device #1 can activate four spatial streams for reception. Station #201 then transmits data using the four spatial streams for transmission. Correspondingly, station #101 receives data using four spatial streams for reception.

8 shows a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps.

S301: The target multi-link device transmits the 11th frame to the peer device.

For example, the target multi-link device may be a first multi-link device or a second multi-link device.

Optionally, when the target multi-link device is an AP multi-link device, the AP multi-link device may transmit the 11th frame in a unicast or broadcast manner.

Optionally, when the target multi-link device is an STA multi-link device, the STA multi-link device may transmit the 11th frame in a unicast manner.

Optionally, the peer device may be a multi-link device or a single-link device.

For example, when the target multi-link device is a first multi-link device, step S201 may be specifically implemented as follows: The first station of the first multi-link device transmits the 11th frame to the peer device.

For another example, when the target multi-link device is a second multi-link device, step S201 may be specifically implemented as follows: The second station of the second multi-link device transmits the 11th frame to the peer device. .

In this embodiment of the present application, the 11th frame represents the maximum number of spatial steams (NSS) supported by the target multi-link device.

Optionally, the quantity of spatial streams is related to a modulation and coding scheme (MCS). Accordingly, the eleventh frame specifically indicates the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device for each MCS.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the present application, the maximum quantity of spatial streams may include a maximum quantity of spatial streams for transmission and a maximum quantity of spatial streams for reception.

For example, the 11th frame may include a fifth field and a sixth field. A fifth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multi-link device for each MCS. A sixth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multi-link device for each MCS.

Optionally, the fifth field may have another name such as Received MCS Mapping field. The sixth field may have a different name, for example a Transmit MCS Mapping field.

The format of the fifth field refers to FIG. 9 . In FIG. 9, the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field occupies 2 bits. The Max EHT-MCS For n SS field corresponds to the quantity n of spatial streams for reception, where n may be an integer from 1 to 16. The encoding rule of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is as follows.

(1) If the value of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is 0, it indicates that EHT-MCS0 to 7 support n spatial streams for reception.

(2) If the value of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is 1, it indicates that EHT-MCS0-9 supports n spatial streams for reception.

(3) If the value of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is 2, it indicates that EHT-MCS0-11, EHT-MCS0-13 or EHT-MCS0-14 supports n receive spatial streams.

(4) If the value of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is 3, it indicates that the EHT PPDU does not support n spatial streams for reception.

It should be noted that for some specific number of spatial streams, the MCS supported by the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field may not be applied to all PPDU bandwidths.

In this embodiment of the present application, reference is made to the fifth field for specific implementation of the sixth field. Details are not described here again.

Optionally, the eleventh frame further indicates the maximum number of spatial streams supported by each station of the target multi-link device. For example, the maximum quantity of spatial streams supported by each station of the target multi-link device is basically the maximum quantity of spatial streams supported by the corresponding station. In a possible design, the eleventh frame may include an eighth field corresponding to each station of the target multi-link device. An eighth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the station. The eighth field may include a quantity field of spatial streams for reception, a quantity field of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field. The link identifier field of the eighth field is used to determine a station corresponding to the eighth field. The number of spatial streams for reception field of the eighth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the station. The number of spatial streams for transmission field of the eighth field represents the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the station.

For example, the target multi-link device is a first multi-link device. In the 8th frame corresponding to the 1st station in the 11th frame, the quantity field of spatial streams for reception may indicate a value of N.

For example, the target multi-link device is the second multi-link device. In the 11th frame, the field of the quantity of spatial streams for transmission in the 8th frame corresponding to the 1st station may indicate a Q value.

Optionally, in an eighth field, a field of quantity of spatial streams for reception (or a field of quantity of spatial streams for transmission) indicates a maximum quantity of spatial streams for reception (or maximum quantity of spatial streams for transmission) in a simple way. can For example, the quantity field of spatial streams for reception is 4 bits, and each value of the 4 bits corresponds to one of the quantities 1 to 16 of spatial streams for reception.

Optionally, in an eighth field, for a quantity field of spatial streams for reception and a quantity field of spatial streams for transmission, reference is made to the implementation of the fifth field in FIG. 9 .

Optionally, the eleventh frame further indicates the maximum number of spatial streams that each station of the target multi-link device can use. Since one station can use the spatial streams supported by the sharing station, the maximum number of spatial streams that the station can use may be greater than or equal to the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the station. For example, in order to achieve this object, the 11th frame may further include a ninth field corresponding to each station of the target multi-link device. A ninth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams that can be used by the station.

In a possible design, the ninth field may include a Quantity of Spatial Streams field for reception, a Quantity of Spatial Streams field for transmission, and a Link Identifier field. The link identifier field of the ninth field is used to determine the station corresponding to the ninth field. The field of the number of spatial streams for reception of the ninth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for reception that can be used by the station. The field of the number of spatial streams for transmission of the ninth field represents the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission that can be used by the station.

For example, the target multi-link device is a first multi-link device. In frame 11, the quantity field of spatial streams for reception in the ninth field corresponding to the first station indicates the maximum value that P can reach.

For example, the target multi-link device is the second multi-link device. In the 11th frame, the quantity field of spatial streams for transmission in the ninth field corresponding to the first station indicates the maximum value that L can reach.

Optionally, in the ninth field, the quantity field of spatial streams for reception (or the quantity field of spatial streams for transmission) may indicate the maximum quantity of spatial streams for reception (or maximum quantity of spatial streams for transmission) in a simple way. For example, the quantity field of spatial streams for reception is 4 bits, and each value of the 4 bits corresponds to one of the quantities 1 to 16 of spatial streams for reception.

Optionally, in a ninth field, for a quantity field of spatial streams for reception and a quantity field of spatial streams for transmission, reference is made to the implementation of the fifth field in FIG. 9 .

Optionally, the eleventh frame may not explicitly indicate the maximum number of spatial streams that each station of the target multi-link device can use. That is, the 11th frame may not include the 9th field.

For example, when the 11th frame does not include the 9th field, if the communication standard specifies that the maximum number of spatial streams for reception/maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multi-link device have a unique value. , The maximum number of spatial streams for reception that each station of the target multi-link device can use is the same as the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multi-link device, and the transmission that each station of the target multi-link device can use. The maximum number of spatial streams for transmission is equal to the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multi-link device. In this case, the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multi-link device is the sum of the numbers of spatial streams for reception supported by all sharing stations of the target multi-link device. The maximum quantity of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multi-link device is the sum of the quantity of spatial streams for transmission supported by all sharing stations of the target multi-link device.

Optionally, the eleventh frame may include a common station field. The sharing station field may include a plurality of link identifier fields. Each link identifier field corresponds to one station participating in the shared spatial stream of the target multi-link device.

In a possible design, when the maximum quantity of spatial streams supported by a multi-link device extends from one to more, i.e. maximum quantity of spatial streams for reception/maximum quantity of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multi-link device. When having these plural values is permitted by the communication standard, the eleventh frame may include a plurality of setting fields for the number of shared spatial streams for reception and a plurality of setting fields for the number of shared spatial streams for reception.

The setting field of the quantity of shared spatial streams for reception includes a quantity of spatial streams for reception field and one or more link identifier fields. In the field for setting the number of shared spatial streams for reception, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multi-link device. Each link identifier field of the setting field of the number of shared spatial streams for reception corresponds to one station participating in the shared spatial stream of the target multi-link device.

Based on this design, when the 11th frame does not include the 9th field, the maximum number of spatial streams for reception that can be used by one station in the target multi-link device is the number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the station. It is equal to the quantity of spatial streams for reception corresponding to the setting field of .

The field for setting the quantity of shared spatial streams for transmission includes a quantity of spatial streams for transmission field and one or more link identifier fields. In the Quantity of Shared Spatial Streams for Transmission field, the Quantity of Spatial Streams for Transmission field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multi-link device. Each link identifier field of the setting field of the number of shared spatial streams for transmission corresponds to one station participating in the shared spatial stream of the target multi-link device.

Based on this design, when the 11th frame does not include the 9th field, the maximum spatial stream for transmission that can be used by one station in the target multi-link device is set to the number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the station. It is equal to the quantity of spatial streams for transmission corresponding to the field.

In this embodiment of the present application, the eleventh frame may be a new type of management frame. Alternatively, the 11th frame may multiplex the existing management frame. For example, the 11th frame may multiplex an association request/association response frame.

Optionally, when the 11th frame multiplexes the association request/association response frames, a fifth field is included in a supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field among capability elements carried in the association request/association response frame. and a sixth field may be located.

S302: The peer device determines the maximum quantity of spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device.

In this embodiment of the present application, the peer device determines the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device for each MCS based on the 11th frame and the operation mode notification frame (or operation mode (OM) field). quantity can be determined.

For example, the peer device determines the quantity of first spatial streams and the quantity of second spatial streams corresponding to the target MCS. The number of first spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target MCS indicated in the fourth field of the ninth frame. The quantity of second spatial streams is the maximum quantity of spatial streams for reception indicated by the quantity field of spatial streams for reception in a recently received operation mode notification frame or a recently received operation mode (OM) field. The peer device uses the quantity of the third spatial stream as the maximum quantity of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multi-link device in the target MCS. The quantity of the third spatial stream is the minimum between the quantity of the first spatial stream and the quantity of the second spatial stream.

For example, the peer device determines the quantity of the fourth spatial stream and the quantity of the fifth spatial stream corresponding to the target MCS. The number of fourth spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target MCS indicated by the fifth field of the ninth frame. The quantity of fifth spatial streams is the maximum quantity of spatial streams for transmission indicated by the quantity field of spatial streams for transmission in the recently received operation mode notification frame or the recently received OM field. The peer device uses the quantity of the sixth spatial stream as the maximum quantity of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multi-link device in the target MCS. The quantity of the sixth spatial stream is the minimum value between the quantity of the fourth spatial stream and the quantity of the fifth spatial stream.

The target MCS may be any MCS.

Optionally, when the 11th frame includes an 8th field corresponding to each station of the target multi-link device, the peer device is used for reception supported by each station of the target multi-link device in the default case based on the 11th frame. A maximum quantity of spatial streams and a maximum quantity of spatial streams for transmission may be determined.

Optionally, when the eleventh frame includes a ninth field corresponding to each station of the target multi-link device, the peer device supports each station of the target multi-link device when the shared spatial stream is used, based on the eleventh frame. The maximum number of spatial streams for reception and the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission may be determined.

Based on the technical solution shown in Fig. 8, the target multi-link device sends the eleventh frame to the peer device, so that the peer device can determine the maximum quantity of spatial streams supported by the target multi-link device. Thus, a peer device can communicate with a target multi-link device using an appropriate number of spatial streams.

In the above-described embodiment, data may be replaced with PPDUs, packets, radio frames, and the like. This is not limited here.

In the above-described embodiment, a spatial stream supported by a station in a multi-link device means a spatial stream that can be received or transmitted by an antenna configured in the station.

In the above embodiment, the fact that a station of a multi-link device can use a spatial stream supported by another station means that the station can receive or transmit the spatial stream using an antenna configured for the other station.

In the above-described embodiment, the spatial stream for reception may be replaced with a reception antenna or a reception channel. A spatial stream for transmission may be replaced by a transmission antenna or transmission channel.

In this embodiment of the present application, names of frames (eg, first frame and second frame) and fields (eg, first field and second field) are examples. This is not particularly limited here.

The foregoing has mainly described the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of a communication device (eg, a first multi-link device or a second multi-link device). In order to implement the above functions, it may be understood that the communication device includes corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing each function. A person skilled in the art should readily recognize that the present application may be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software in combination with the example units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether a function is performed by hardware or hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may use different methods to implement the described functionality for each particular application, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of the present application.

In the embodiments of the present application, the device may be divided into functional modules based on the foregoing method examples. For example, each function module may be divided and obtained by corresponding function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one function module. The integrated module may be implemented in a hardware form or a software function module form. The division into modules in the embodiments of the present application is an example, and is merely a logical division of functions. In actual implementation, there may be other ways of distinguishing. Hereinafter, an example in which each function module is obtained by dividing based on each corresponding function will be described.

10 illustrates a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device includes a processing module 201 and a communication module 202 .

The communication module 202 is configured to perform step S101 in FIG. 4 , step S102 in FIG. 5 , step S201 in FIG. 6 and step S301 in FIG. 8 . The processing module 201 may be configured to perform step S302 of FIG. 8 to generate or parse data.

11 is a structural diagram of a possible product form of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

In a possible product form, the communication device in this embodiment of the present application may be a communication device. The communication device includes a processor 301 and a transceiver 302 . Optionally, the communication device further includes a storage medium 303 .

The transceiver 302 is configured to perform step S101 of FIG. 4 , step S102 of FIG. 5 , step S201 of FIG. 6 and step S301 of FIG. 8 . Processor 301 may be configured to perform step S302 of FIG. 8 to generate or parse data.

In other possible product forms, the communications device described in this embodiment of the present application may alternatively be implemented by a general-purpose processor or special-purpose processor, commonly referred to as a chip. The chip includes processing circuitry 301 and transceiver pins 302 . Optionally, the chip may further include a storage medium 303 .

In another possible product form, the communications device described in this embodiment of the present application may comprise one or more of the following circuits or components: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic device logic devices, PLDs), controllers, state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware components, other suitable circuitry, or combinations of circuitry capable of performing the various functions described herein.

It should be understood that computer instructions may be stored on a computer readable storage medium or transferred from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium. For example, computer instructions may be sent by wire (eg coaxial cable, fiber optic or digital subscriber line) or wirelessly (eg infrared, radio or microwave) from a website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, or data center. It can be sent to a server or data center. A computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that incorporates one or more usable media. A usable medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium, or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state drive).

Based on the description of the foregoing implementation, those skilled in the art will be able to clearly understand that the foregoing division into functional modules for convenience and brevity is merely used as an example for explanation. In actual application, the above functions may be assigned to different modules for implementation according to requirements, that is, the internal structure of the device may be divided into different function modules to implement all or part of the functions described above. there is.

It should be understood that the devices and methods disclosed in the various embodiments provided herein may be implemented in different ways. For example, the device embodiments described are merely examples. For example, the division into modules or units is only a logical division of functions and may be a different division in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be coupled or incorporated into other devices, or some functions may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection indicated or discussed may be implemented through some interface. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented electronically, mechanically, or in other forms.

A unit described as a separate part may or may not be physically separate, and a part referred to as a unit may be in one or more physical units, i.e., at one location, or may be distributed at a plurality of different locations. there is. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, each unit may physically exist alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integration unit may be implemented in a hardware form or a software functional unit form.

When an integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are essentially, or the parts contributing to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored on a storage medium and includes several instructions that instruct a device (which may be a single chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. .

The foregoing description is only a specific implementation of the present application and does not limit the protection scope of the present application. Any change or replacement within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims (36)

As a data transmission method,
Receiving, by a first station of a first multi-link device, a third frame instructing the first station to activate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams, wherein the third frame instructs the first station to activate a quantity of spatial streams; A mode of sharing is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the quantity of shared spatial streams is the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and
Transmitting, by the first station, a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame is used in response to the third frame;
Data transmission method further comprising a. As a data transmission method,
Transmitting, by a first station of a first multi-link device, a third frame, wherein the third frame instructs the first station to activate a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams, and the quantity of spatial streams A mode of sharing is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the quantity of shared spatial streams is the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and
receiving, by the first station, a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame is used in response to the third frame;
Data transmission method comprising a. According to claim 1,
After receiving the third frame by the first station, the data transmission method comprises:
Transmitting an acknowledgment frame of the third frame by the first station.
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to claim 1,
After transmitting the fourth frame by the first station, the data transmission method comprises:
receiving an acknowledgment frame of the fourth frame by the first station;
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The data transmission method,
activating, by the first station, a plurality of spatial streams through frame interaction, wherein a quantity of the plurality of spatial streams is less than or equal to a quantity of the shared spatial streams;
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to claim 5,
The data transmission method,
using, by the first station, a spatial stream supported by the first station before frame interaction is complete;
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to claim 5 or 6,
The data transmission method,
using, by the first station, the plurality of spatial streams after frame interaction is complete;
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to claim 7,
The data transmission method,
After the frame interaction sequence ends, using, by the first station, a spatial stream supported by the first station.
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to claim 8,
The data transmission method,
determining, by the first station, that the frame interaction sequence is terminated when any one of preset conditions is met, wherein
The preset conditions are as follows:
Receiving, by the first station, a seventh frame - the receiving address of the seventh frame is different from that of the first station, or the sending address of the seventh frame is received by the first station. different from the sending address of the 8th frame, the 8th frame is used to start or set the transmission opportunity -; or
indicating, by the carrier detection mechanism of the first station, that the medium is idle within a preset time period; or
the first station receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU being determined by the first station as an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU; or
Receiving a multi-user (MU) PPDU by the first station, wherein a basic service set color (BSS color) of a preamble carried in the MU PPDU is a BSS color of a basic service set associated with the first station color and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station -
contains one or more of -
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The data transmission method
receiving, by the first station, a fifth frame, the fifth frame instructing the first station to deactivate a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams; and
transmitting, by the first station, a sixth frame, wherein the sixth frame is used in response to the fifth frame;
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to claim 10,
After the first station receives the fifth frame, the data transmission method comprises:
Transmitting, by the first station, an acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame.
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to claim 10 or 11,
After transmitting the sixth frame by the first station, the data transmission method comprises:
receiving, by the first station, an acknowledgment frame of the sixth frame;
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The data transmission method,
transmitting, by the first station, a fifth frame, wherein the fifth frame indicates to the first station to deactivate a mode of sharing the quantity of spatial streams; and
Receiving, by the first station, a sixth frame, wherein the sixth frame is used for a response to the fifth frame;
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The data transmission method,
Transmitting, by the first station, an eleventh frame, wherein the eleventh frame indicates a maximum quantity of shared space streams supported by the first multi-link device;
Data transmission method further comprising a. According to claim 14,
Wherein the eleventh frame indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS. According to claim 15,
wherein the eleventh frame includes a fifth field, wherein the fifth field indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS. According to claim 16,
Wherein the fifth field is carried in the supported EHT MCS and NSS of the eleventh frame. According to any one of claims 15 to 17,
wherein the eleventh frame includes a sixth field, wherein the sixth field indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multi-link device for each MCS. According to claim 18,
The sixth field is carried in the supported EHT MCS and NSS of the eleventh frame. According to any one of claims 14 to 19,
The eleventh frame includes a sharing station field, wherein the sharing station field indicates a plurality of stations participating in a shared spatial stream. According to claim 20,
Wherein the sharing station field includes a plurality of link identifier fields. According to any one of claims 14 to 21,
wherein the eleventh frame further indicates a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by each station of the first multi-link device. The method of claim 22,
wherein the eleventh frame includes an eighth field, wherein the eighth field includes a field of a quantity of spatial streams for reception, a field of a quantity of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field. According to claim 23,
The field of the quantity of spatial streams for reception and the field of the quantity of spatial streams for transmission are carried in a supported EHT MCS and NSS set field of the eleventh frame. The method of any one of claims 14 to 24,
The eleventh frame is an association request frame or an association response frame. 26. The method of any one of claims 1 to 25,
The data transmission method,
transmitting, by the first station, a delay field, wherein the delay field indicates a delay required for a first station of the first multi-link device to adjust from a supported spatial stream to a shared spatial stream;
Data transmission method further comprising a. As a data transmission method,
Transmitting a third frame to a first station of a first multi-link device, wherein the third frame indicates to the first station to activate a mode for sharing a quantity of spatial streams, wherein the mode for sharing a quantity of spatial streams is used to activate the first station to use the shared spatial stream, wherein a quantity of shared spatial streams is a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and
receiving a fourth frame from the first station, wherein the fourth frame is used for a response to the third frame;
Data transmission method comprising a. As a data transmission method,
Receiving a third frame transmitted by a first station of a first multi-link device, the third frame indicating to the first station to activate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams, and sharing a quantity of spatial streams. a mode used to activate the first station to use the shared spatial stream, wherein the quantity of shared spatial streams is the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and
Transmitting a fourth frame to the first station, the fourth frame being used for a response to the third frame;
Data transmission method comprising a. As a data transmission method,
Receiving, by a first station of a first multi-link device, a fifth frame, the fifth frame indicating to the first station to deactivate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams, and a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams. is used to activate the first station to use the shared spatial stream, and the quantity of shared spatial streams is the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and
Transmitting, by the first station, a sixth frame, the sixth frame being used for a response to the fifth frame;
Data transmission method comprising a. As a data transmission method,
Transmitting, by a first station of a first multi-link device, a fifth frame, the fifth frame indicating to the first station to deactivate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams, and a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams. is used to activate the first station to use the shared spatial stream, and the quantity of shared spatial streams is the maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and
Receiving, by the first station, a sixth frame, the sixth frame being used for a response to the fifth frame;
Data transmission method comprising a. As a data transmission method,
Transmitting a fifth frame to a first station of a first multi-link device, wherein the fifth frame indicates to the first station to deactivate a mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams, wherein the mode of sharing a quantity of spatial streams is used to activate the first station to use the shared spatial stream, wherein a quantity of shared spatial streams is a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and
Receiving a sixth frame, wherein the sixth frame is used for a response to the fifth frame;
Data transmission method comprising a. As a data transmission method,
Receiving a fifth frame from a first station of a first multi-link device, the fifth frame indicating to the first station to deactivate a mode for sharing a quantity of spatial streams, wherein the mode for sharing a quantity of spatial streams is used to activate the first station to use the shared spatial stream, wherein a quantity of shared spatial streams is a maximum quantity of shared spatial streams supported by the first multi-link device; and
Transmitting a sixth frame to the first station, the sixth frame being used for a response to the fifth frame;
Data transmission method comprising a. 33. A communication device comprising units configured to perform the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 32. As a computer-readable storage medium,
The computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions, which when executed in a computer, the computer is capable of carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32. storage medium. As a chip,
The chip comprises a processing unit and a transceiver pin, the processing unit configured to perform a processing operation in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 32, the transceiver pin to claim 1 to 32 A chip configured to perform a communication operation in a method according to any one of claims. A computer program product comprising computer instructions,
A computer program product, when the computer instructions are executed in a computer, the computer is capable of performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

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